I got a Masterclass in Spool Guns

[@CindyWilson.]

Here my husband and I set watching this video. Neither of us have ever welded anything!! We so enjoy Tay and his explanations. The Arc3 guy and Tay did an excellent explaining even to the lay person. Keep up the great work! ❤

[@LiftArcStudios]

Cindy, it warms our heart to know you guys not only watch it together but that it's entertaining for nonwelders too!

[@jackofall2305]

Get a cheap welder and try it out, it's alot of fun to turn solids into liquids and then stick em together

[@Kawika88]

Watching this shop is like taking a class in welding and metal fabrication. These guys ‘get’er done’.

[@LiftArcStudios]

Well thank you for the kind words and we really appreciate that! We're also really luck Arc3 sends by geniuses like Frank to fill in all the gaps for us too.

[@baronclime6423]

Welding aluminum with MIG takes me back to my houseboat factory days of the late 90's and early 2000's. Miller cabinets and Cobramatic push/pull guns. I know we welded many many miles worth of beads. The trick and what the customers were expecting was the TIG stacked dime look to the welds. A little bit of technique is involved and timing but once you have it down it's simple. I haven't ran a bead of aluminum wire in several years so I know I would be rusty as an old plow buried in the woods. If Arc3 ever makes it to south central KY I'll have to give them a look.

[@frankray3934]

We just opened a store in East Tennessee, so we are making our way to you! Frank

[@edsmetalworks8426]

Like the guy describing Miller products wearing a Lincoln Electric welding jacket. Nice informative video, would love to have that Miller setup in my shop.

[@LiftArcStudios]

Can't say enough good things about Miller and Arc3. There will be a video of it soon but we went to Arc3 in the middle of a tornado and flash flood warning to get a new Miller welding mask and not only were they open but we lived to tell the tale!

[@dandersen464]

I got the 30A with a purchase of a Miller 330 this spring and LOVE it. It was a large part of why I bought new and bought blue. Excellent on mobile thick boat repairs from Big lake welding Alaska! BTW, I used to valet at hotel Roanoke for a couple years as free up in Rocky mount. Cool to see a “local” channel.

[@timblack33]

I actually ordered a 30A from my local Arc3 store last week. Have some headache rack repair welding to do on several trucks and didn’t wanna have to tig them standing up on the back of the trucks. Your video was a perfect intro for me; only process I’ve never done.

[@chainsawcanuck]

In my 4th year of sheet metal at the polytechnic in Edmonton I got to play with a spool gun on 1/8 aluminum, was blown away how nice and easy it was, compared to my aluminum tig skills at the time, but haven't touched one in 15 years now.. Might get. One for home

[@hvymax]

@@chainsawcanuck Tig welding Aluminum is way easier than it was 40 years ago!!! I still have a Miller Econotwin HF!!!

[@chainsawcanuck]

@@hvymax can't kill an econotwin

[@AnneDunning-s3c]

Looks like your first premiere generated strong interest: - Pragmatic information for aluminum production welders, particularly in automotive applications - Broad visions for small shops - Perspective and fun for novices and everyone else Score!

[@TwiztidPain]

I am getting back into welding since o8, which is very informative.

[@dr.feelgood2358]

i've got that spoolgun. almost first try did some very nice welds! the hose and cables comes straight out the back, instead of downward which can be akward.

[@benpryce]

I feel instantly validated for choosing spool gun vs tig for our aluminum fabrication

[@jonathanfletcher8184]

With a spool I’ve found that a straight push with no movement works best just like you would with spray transfer. But when those are working they can make beautiful welds but man can they be finicky.

[@ClarksvilleCustomAwnings24]

I weld aluminum with argon shielding gas a Millermatic 185 and spool gun 3035 I make awnings

[@907jl]

Looking forward to this one, as I have a Spoolmatic 30A on the way, for my Millermatic 255. First spool gun for me, and lots to learn.

[@LiftArcStudios]

That's the exact spool gun and Miller machine we'll be featuring in this video! We learned a ton from this one

[@907jl]

@@LiftArcStudios Excellent!

[@907jl]

@@LiftArcStudios Good info guys, can't wait till my 30A gets here! My welder is the Millermatic 255, which is basically the MIG only version of your Multimatic 255. About a grand cheaper, and had a $400 rebate. I already have a AC/DC TIG machine, and didn't want to pay for the redundancy.

[@Cobra427Veight]

I used to use a Miller push pull gun with a 400 amp power pack for workshop and to take to the railway yards etc over 27 years ago !

[@youmustbekidding7341]

OMG I did this in 1988 to weld aluminum in truck bodies loved Miller products

[@LiftArcStudios]

YES! This is really what these guns are designed for, large production welding. Would love to hear more about your experience with them too!

[@scottnovak8903]

I used suitcases aluminum spool feed repaired cattle trailer compartment hasp lock, made weld's great and penetration. 1996 so it's been working since i experienced .

[@jamesgulrich7416]

I find it funny that in this video, Frank has donned a long-sleeve welding shirt. The last video I watched of him was the Hypertherm plasma cutter 45 (out of sequence), and there he's wearing a short-sleeve logo shirt that's basically made from plastics and running a gouging tip....yikes! I love it!

[@ghostdog662]

More like a masterclass in moving a gas cylinder. Holy moly

[@Enonymouse_]

There are very few projects you cant weld with the 255 multimatic or the newer 350 multimatic, the 255 has a 300-ish amp ceiling that gives you a lot of room to work with.

[@hvymax]

Before pulse I was the only person with an 18ga aluminum mig certification. Test procedure allows for a backer which acted as a heat sink. Because I could repeat it they wrote it up and qualified it but it was never made really known because it still wasn't really doable.

[@LiftArcStudios]

That's intense! What were you were you welding that needed that gauge?

[@hvymax]

@@LiftArcStudios My Apprentice School was also an AWS audited testing facility. At that point I was racking up 34 AWS certifications just because I could. I already had 3/8" and 1/8". They said that there wasn't a procedure for 18ga because it wasn't doable. It was the first of 6 procedures I developed and qualified. Most of my certs I qualified on 18ga, 10ga, 3/8" and 1". So I could weld paper to unlimited. It was eventually just about bragging rights.

[@hvymax]

I eventually retired as a CWI with several new power plants with my stamp on them

[@BrentCameron]

I did a small production run of parts a few months back MIG welding 0.40" thick aluminum (corners) with no backing bar with the Miller 30A spool gun running off of my Trailblazer 302 Air Pak. It was tricky but I got it dialed in and made good money on that job. Even at such low voltage the ground clamp would pit the aluminum from current passing through.

[@treetopflyersofva2]

Tay it’s just money, go on and buy it. You can’t go wrong with Miller products. Awesome educational video. Now you need to get Frank to bring a push pull gun and try it out and then compare the two. Give the pros and cons for each type.

[@LiftArcStudios]

An excellent suggestion and definitely something we can ask Arc3 about!

[@gogoubai]

The HTP 2500 revolution cost 4000$ and got AC/DC tig and pulsed mig weld Aluminum without needing a spool gun.

[@Steve-bo7oi]

Can you run steel wire through the spool gun?

[@swenwesselink4500]

Little bit of heat on the aluminium before welding, welds soooo much better!!!!!!

[@LiftArcStudios]

This makes perfect sense and is an excellent tip!

[@Christopherbever]

Oh man, while watching this incredibly informative video I searched marketplace and found one a whole set up near me with the 30A gun for 2k… I may have to pawn a kidney tonight!

[@Enonymouse_]

I own the spoolmatic and multimatic. I build parts, tables, and prototypes of ideas i have.. I haven't used the spoolmatic 30a yet. it's been sitting on a shelf waiting for me. A word of advice about the spoolmatic, it is the entry-level version. Buy the XR, its the next step up , because the XR has a lot more parts to configure it, guntube options, and more but doesnt share parts with the lower tier 30a.. You dont realize that until after you buy it, buy it once, and cry once.

[@stevejones9832]

I bought a welder that came with a spool gun. I tried it when i got it. I haven't used it since. I tig everything to much screwing around for different thicknes, etc, with the spool gun. I think you really need a welder that does hot start and crater fill. If i ever had a really big aluminum job i would try the spool gun again.

[@rs2024-s4u]

WOW!! I can think of nothing else to say. Ray Oops I just thought of something else as I just now realize that a multi gas selector invention/manifold would allow changes in gas in seconds with the filck of a battery like selector switch limited by only how many bottles the welding cart can carry at one time.

[@Krishell]

Good video

[@LiftArcStudios]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tomandres4129]

Get a Push-pull gun if you're doing any appreciable aluminum mig production whatsoever. If I remember correctly its called the Aluma Pro XR. I have mine paired with the MM255, and its fantastic. I usually run pulse, and my spool gun hasnt left the cabinet i keep it in for 3 years now...

[@stevenginnever5343]

Another one for the lottery win wish list.

[@LiftArcStudios]

Tell me about it! Usually the only way we get to play with this cool stuff is when Arc3 comes by.

[@robert.brokaw3829]

A question? For your online store - do you only take PayPal or Venmo. I was looking at a few things but it wouldn't take any payment besides the previous mentioned. Nice video. Stay safe.

[@SFS13-01]

I bought my first spool gun in 2005 to run on my first Lincoln Ranger 305G engine drive. Had to figure out all the settings myself and never have had the benefit of pulse. Took awhile, to say the least. I now run a Cobramatic push-pull cabinet on my third 305G. Believe me when I tell you, if you buy a spool gun; you’re buying a MAJOR headache! One of the most frustrating pieces of equipment you will ever pick up. Might run great for hours and, then all of a sudden (without changing anything), it will get the devil in it. After many frustrating attempts to find and fix the problem, it’ll go back to working,….for awhile anyway. Save your religion and get a push-pull system. Don’t believe me, wait until the spool gun gets a little use on it and you try to run 5356 wire through it.

[@LiftArcStudios]

Yeah spool guns in general seem great for large scale production use and as such seem very specialized.

[@jjd1983]

The weight of the spool gun gets taxing over a long day of welding, also sort of clubby. they do make a 45 degree nozzle that can often come in handy.

[@mrdddeeezzzweldor5039]

Seems like the background clatter is 'too purposeful'. Is that for busy sounding shop ambiance?

[@LiftArcStudios]

No, it's actually a busy shop and a small shop. Hopefully in our new space we we'll have a little more wiggle room and we bought some new mics to help cut that down too. If we could only find an air compressor that didn't sound like a jet engine then we'd be in business!

[@gearhead181]

You need to have Peter set up the pro pulse 220 for you to run aluminum out of it. I have one hands down it’s the way to weld aluminum

[@BattleForEden]

Would like to see some welding automation content!

[@toddp8164]

For divot at end angle opposite way towards work piece

[@roberta4989]

Aunt Joanie's finally here!

[@LiftArcStudios]

FINALLY!

[@melgross]

The only thing I don’t like here is lift arc. Maybe the next version of this will have that.

[@t0rnado695]

so the question is. did he leave the spool gun behind because you em bought it:) something ive always wanted to try is ali welding on the mig.

[@LiftArcStudios]

Just depends on the product usually and how much it costs. Sometimes they leave them with us to see if we can use them / find work to be able to buy them and they give us a bit of a discount but most of the time, like with this beauty, they take them back since they're expensive.

[@t0rnado695]

@@LiftArcStudios thats a shame. looks a good bit of kit. but im sure if you find many uses to own one for ali mig we will see one in upcoming videos lol. thanks for all the videos you do. keep up the good work

[@tonystites2134]

when he was showing spark length that called less voltage is for short Circuit transfer. High voltage is for spray transfer

[@MrListon1961]

Try an Alumnapro push pull

[@Rusty-Metal]

I guess end HTP Propulse 220 sucks at welding aluminum without a spool gun even though peter zila says it's the bomb? No video follow up on it and no mention.

[@JKheller19]

Thats so weird, my miller multimatic 255, the only way i can chamge wire speed is on the gun, but i change voltage on the machine

[@neftalilopez4796]

Hello it’s work with 215 multimatic

[@JasonM-x6d]

You should get a "salesman " that knows what he's talking about. He is selling you this and doesn't seem to know much about welding.

[@LiftArcStudios]

Well, you know how it is, every welder kind of has their specialty, Frank is a wiki on most stuff but can't know everything.

[@tylersullivan4289]

I hope to god that can hook up to my dynasty 300 multiprocess

[@tylersullivan4289]

It does not 😢

[@1960fl]

$2150. on Amazon

[@MrListon1961]

also remember the hotter the piece gets the smoother its welding / more penetration

[@staffanakerhjelm9780]

FFS, do NOT breath in that smoke!

[@LiftArcStudios]

We definitely don't want any of that smoke!

[@Room_for_1_more_fruit_tree]

Push pull dominates spoolguns, end of discussion.

[@guloguloguy]

THE "BEST" WELDS, USUALLY ARE DONE WITH "TIG" SYSTEMS. I'VE NEVER LIKED "MIG" SYSTEMS... (IMHO: MIG => TOO MUCH SPATTER, AND TWEEKING, TO MATCH ALL THE NEEDED PARAMETERS,... )

[@beachboardfan9544]

Millers prices are absurd

[@jjd1983]

Just an FYI, the 4043 wire is the easiest to run in the spool gun. Other alloys dont get the pretty results . Keep Fabbin!

[@oddfoxchassis786]

For that amount of money and no tig ac. What! Nah, nothing to see for the common folks garage.

[@LiftArcStudios]

Yeah this spool gun is definitely for specialized use and especially production use. It would be rad to have in any sized shop but doesn't make sense for everyone.

[@rodneylake2]

Heres a thought. Film videos away from other work and sources of noise. 😅

[@LiftArcStudios]

Yeah, we're working on making that better. Sometimes it's tough in our current shop since there's so much going on work wise and it's close quarters, that hopefully won't be as much of an issue in our new space. Also, Frank was back recently and we put lav mics on him and Tay to help keep some of the shop sounds to a minimum. Now if we could only find an air compressor that doesn't sound like a jet engine when it recharges we'd have all the bases covered!

[@rodneylake2]

@@LiftArcStudios all good thanks for taking the time to reply 👍

[@AIvins]

30A does not stand for 30ft Alum, It's 30ft Air cooled.... I have a 30W.... that's 30Ft Water cooled...

[@CrisHarrison]

You Can't control MIG. And it looks like crap. Do yourself a favor and learn to use TIG, when you get good, it' doesn't have to be sanded. It's like braising! Get a life use TiG😊😊😊😊 I've been doing this for years and it's FAA approved. ~~ Cris H 😊😊😊

[@907jl]

Did you pay attention to a single thing they covered? He stated pretty clearly that they use TIG for critical work, and for where aesthetics are a priority. And the MIG/spool gun would be for speed, general fabrication, and welds that will never see the light of day. But I guess since TIG is your preference, it should be everyone's preference.

[@CrisHarrison]

Yea, I did then look a the welds, you have so.much weld, you can't tell about penitration.i looks like you used a caulk gun. I will stick to TIG, thanks anyway. And I don't do iron with.MIG or Stick. Enjoy ~~ Cris H